The
Waterbury company pioneered the now popular single serving
Keurig system. But increased competition in the K-cup market and the recent expiration
of key patents have raised questions about its future performance, as stock
prices fell 60 percent over a nine-month period in 2012.

However,
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters shares gained ground late Tuesday and early Wednesday on the heels
of a fiscal fourth quarter performance that far exceeded expectations. Shares closed at $36.86 on Wednesday, up nearl $8 per share over the course of the day.

Company
officials discussed the figures in a conference call in which
they reported a 33
percent increase in net sales to $946.7 million - above analysts'
projections of $902.7 million.

The
performance was driven largely by continued strong K-cup sales. "We believe GMCR will continue to be the leader in single serving beverages for the K-cup
brewing platform," said outgoing CEO and President Larry Blanford.

Blanford
says the company is well positioned thanks to the wide range of brands and
varieties it manufactures and key partnerships, including recently announced
agreements with Snapple to produce single serving ice teas and the warehouse
giant Costco for production of Kirkland
brand coffee.

The
company also expects continued growth in the share of non-coffee K cup
beverages, which currently make up approximately 14 percent of sales.

Blanford
said in the future, "We continue to believe we will deliver annual sales growth
in the range of 15 percent to 20 percent with annual earning growth in the mid-teens over the
longer term."